Wednesday, 30 January 2013

There’s not too much you can do about a receding
hairline, other than curse your gene pool. But facial hair is a different story.
The condition of your facial hair directly corresponds to the health of your
body. The same nutrients that have a positive effect on our heart and other
major organs also benefit our skin and hair.

In other words, you can literally eat yourself to
a shinier, smoother, more healthy-looking beard.

Vitamin A and beta carotene

How they better your beard: Vitamin A maintains
and repairs skin tissue. And keeping your skin healthy allows for better hair
growth .Beta carotene is a nutrient that your body converts to vitamin A. Since
it’s found in foods that are lower in saturated fats than those that are rich
in vitamin A, you’re better off eating foods that are high in beta carotene.

Where to find them: Vitamin A is
present in milk, cheese, butter and egg yolks. Beta carotene is found in yellow
and orange produce (e.g., carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes and papayas) and
leafy green veggies (e.g., spinach and kale).

Vitamins C and E

How they better your beard: Vitamins
C and E promote the production of sebum, a natural oil that is produced by our
bodies and lubricates and moisturizes hair, making it look thicker and more
lush. Additionally, vitamin C assists in the growth of bodily tissues,
including those that comprise our skin and hair follicles.

How it betters your beard: Our
skin and hair are composed primarily of keratin, a structural protein made up
of amino acids. We don’t produce amino acids on our own; instead, we need to
eat protein, which the body then converts to amino acids.

Where to find it: Fill up on fish,
lean meats, poultry, eggs, rice, beans and milk.

Vitamins B6, B12 and BIOTIN

How they better your beard: B vitamins help your body synthesize
the protein you eat so it can be used to build new skin cells and hair. Getting
enough B vitamins, also helps reduce stress and prevent hair loss.

Where to find them: Fish,
poultry, leans meats, eggs, nuts, and whole grains such as brown rice and
oatmeal are chock-full of B vitamins. Foods that are rich in B12 include beef,
milk, cheese and wheat germ.

Omega-3 fatty acids

How they better your beard: Essential fatty acids are just
that: essential to normal growth, including that of facial hair. They also
protect cell membranes, helping to prevent your whiskers from getting dry and
brittle.

Where to find them: Make sure
flax seed oil, walnuts and fatty fish (e.g., salmon) find their way into your
diet.

Want to make your beard even
more beautiful? Of course you do! Supplementing the above foods with a
multivitamin, or with any of the individual nutrients listed above, might do
the trick. Just don’t overdo it: Your body will excrete any extra
water-soluble vitamins (e.g., vitamin C or B12), but it’ll hold on to extra
fat-soluble vitamins (e.g., vitamin A). Excessive doses of vitamin A could
actually lead to hair loss. Ask your doctor to recommend a proper dosage, and
you’ll soon be on your way to winning whiskers.

Friday, 25 January 2013

FGM refers to all
procedures which partially or completely remove the external female genitalia.
FGM also includes any other injury to a woman's or girl's genitalia for reasons
other than medical ones. In most parts of the world, FGM is done by non-medical
practitioners who also attend childbirths and carry out male circumcisions.

The World Health
Organization informs that there are four main types of female genital
mutilations:

FGM may involve cutting out all or
part of the clitoris, the labia majora and/or minora, and stitching the
labia together so as to narrow the opening

Clitoridectomy - the clitoris is
partially or completely removed. The clitoris is the most sensitive
erogenous zone of the human female, and the main cause of her sexual
pleasure. It is a small erectile part of the female genitalia. Upon being
stimulated, the clitoris produces sexual excitement, clitoral erection,
and orgasm.

Excision - the clitoris and labia
minora are partially or completely removed. It may also include the
removal of the labia majora. "Labia" refers to the lips that
surround the vagina.

Infibulation - the vaginal opening is
narrowed; a covering seal is created. The inner or outer labia are cut and
repositioned. This procedure may include (or not) the removal of the
clitoris

ALL
THIS WHICH IS UNNECESSARY BUT INSTEAD DEHUMANIZES WOMEN!

Virtually every
country in the world agrees that female genital mutilation is a violation of a
female's human rights. It is seen as an extreme form of discriminating against
females in the community. As most procedures are carried out on young girls, it
is also a violation against children's rights.

Why does female genital mutilation occur?

FGM could be due
to several factors, and often a combination of them, including those of a
religious, social and cultural nature.

Social convention - "it is what
others do, and what we have always done.." Social pressure and a
desire not to stand out as a rebel is a powerful force, especially in
societies with low literacy rates.

Proper thing to do - in some
societies, FGM is part of proper female upbringing. It is said to prepare
her for marriage and adult life.

Decent sexual behavior - in some
cultures, FGM is linked to virginity and being faithful during marriage.
If a woman's libido is reduced (by cutting the clitoris), it is believed
that her chances of taking part in "illicit" sex is much
smaller. Narrowing the vaginal opening is thought to keep females from
taking any sexual risks, for fear of pain or widening the opening, being
found out and getting into trouble for it.

Femininity and modesty - some
societies believe that FGM makes girls cleaner and more beautiful. Some
body parts, such as the clitoris (which sticks out) are seen as male or
unclean.

Religions - even though not written
in any of the major religions, practitioners are either convinced, or have
convinced their communities that the practice is a religious one and
should be carried out for that reason. It must be pointed out that many
religious leaders are against FGM, and are involved in the movement to
eradicate its practice.

Power and authority - in some cases,
local chiefs, religious leaders, practitioners of FGM and circumcision,
and even some health care professionals all agree that it is a practice
that must prevail.

A new practice - in some cases, some
communities have adopted the practice of FGM because they picked it up
from neighboring communities. In some cases, it is the revival of an old
custom.

Immigrants - sometimes, people who
come from communities that don't practice FGM, and come to live in
societies that do, adopt the practice to fit in.

In some cultures, it is believed that
a man would die if his penis touched a woman's clitoris. Some say that if
a baby's head comes into contact with the clitoris, he/she could die. In
some communities, women who have not undergone FGM are not allowed to
handle food and water because of the perceived health risks for others.

The Reasons given
by all cultures for FGM are nothing but a way of suppressing women both
physically and mentally. Nothing is ever the same for FGM victims. It’s time MEN in cultures that practice FGM also
join in eradicating this evil practice.

I
KNOW IT HAS BEEN SAID SO MANY TIMES BUT I AM APPEALING TO ALL MEN TO GET
INVOLVED AND HELPSTOP FGM FROM NOW INTO THE FUTURE

Wednesday, 23 January 2013

We all get the Monday blues from
time to time, but there are ways to improve your working life and be happy at
work. If you're going through a rough patch at work or are lacking job
satisfaction, check out these ways to boost your mood and have a happier work
day.

Organise your working life

If your work day often leaves you feeling
stressed and overwhelmed, it is time to calm things down by getting more
organised. Firstly, make sure you arrive a few minutes early for work to give
you time to organise your tasks for the day and get mentally prepared.
Secondly, organise your space by clearing away any clutter and streamlining
your workspace (this includes clearing your desk and deleting old emails).
Finally, make a list of everything that you need to do that day in order of
priority. If you can, try taking care of the more difficult things first to
help take a weight off your mind.

Brighten up your desk

Research has shown that workers who
have input into the design of their workspace are up to 40% happier than those
who do not. While you may not have the authority (or inclination) to decorate
or rearrange your whole office or work place, try brightening up your
individual area by purchasing some nice stationery, putting up a photo of a happy
occasion, a funny calendar or small piece of artwork, or getting a nice plant
for your desk. A happy environment makes a happy worker!

Wear a mood-boosting outfit

While many of us are required to
wear a uniform or adhere to a dress code for work, if you do have more freedom
to dress as you wish, try opting for clothes or accessories that boost your
mood. Whether you opt for a piece of jewellery that reminds you of a special
memory, a colourful bag to brighten up your day, that confidence-boosting outfit,
or even your favourite underwear beneath it all, adding something special to
your worn-in work attire can really brighten your day and make you feel happy
within yourself.

Add some variety to your
working day

They say variety is the spice of
life, and this is never truer than when it comes to your working day. Following
the same routine day in, day out can quickly cause boredom and dissatisfaction
to set in, so try making every day a little different in any way you can. Try
doing routine tasks in a different order, talking to someone new or taking a
different route to work (perhaps even using a different mode of transport, such
as cycling, if you can). If you really can’t shake up your work day itself,
instead try organising something fun and different to do on your lunch break
every so often.

Get active in your lunch
break

If your working day is getting you
down, try giving yourself an instant happiness boost by squeezing some exercise
into your lunch break. Exercise is good for boosting self-esteem and letting
off stress, and it also releases chemicals in the brain such as endorphins and
anandamide which can boost your mood and leave you feeling great. If you have
shower facilities at work you could go for a lunchtime run. Alternatively, a
brisk walk around the shops will get your heart rate up without working up a
sweat.

Snack on ‘happy foods’

Got a tough day ahead? Then make
sure you pack some healthy snacks for work to keep your spirits up and boost
your mood. Certain nutrients in food can affect how we feel, so try stocking up
on well-known happiness-inducing foods such as walnuts (for Omega-3 fatty
acids), bananas (for serotonin-producing tryptophan and relaxing magnesium) and
wholegrains (for mood-boosting B vitamins). Also, stick to low-GI foods for
slow-release energy, as low blood sugar levels can lead to depression and
fatigue.

Be positive and friendly
towards your colleagues

Regardless of how you feel, try to
adopt a positive and friendly attitude when talking to colleagues – yes, even
the ones who get on your nerves! Try to resolve any conflicts, avoid office
gossip, and treat everyone as you would like to be treated, and you may find
that you get the same in return. Furthermore, research shows that the act of
smiling can actually make you feel happier, so try to paste on a smile however
you really feel – it may just boost your mood and your workplace happiness.

Appreciate the fact that you
have a job

If you know that your job isn't the
one for you but are stuck with it for now, try to make the best of what you've
got. The job may not be permanent, but going to it every day with no sense of
purpose (other than to get through to the end of the day) will quickly get you
down. Try to identify a sense of purpose or positives of doing the job, whether
it is noting that the position is getting you nearer to your dream job, helping
others in some way, or giving you an opportunity to build on certain skills. If
you think positive then your mood will naturally improve.

Tuesday, 22 January 2013

Overdone it on the booze? While you may be
tempted to reach for the junk food to make yourself feel better, loading your
overworked liver with more toxins is actually the last thing it needs. Instead,
try snacking on one of these alternative foods to aid your recovery and start
feeling better in no time at all.

Marmite

One reason many of us feel so bad the morning
after a drinking session is because alcohol depletes your system of essential
nutrients, including B vitamins. A lack of B vitamins can cause anxiety and
depression, so try munching on Marmite - a rich source of the vitamin B complex
- to lift your mood. As an added benefit, Marmite has a high sodium content
which can help replace the salts lost through drinking alcohol. Try the savoury
spread on toast for an added fix of carbs.

Watermelon

Not only does alcohol deplete your body of
nutrients, it can also lead to low blood sugar levels, which may leave you
feeling weak and shaky. To counteract this, try snacking on watermelon, which is
not only high in fructose but is also water-rich to boost hydration. On top of
this, watermelon is high in many essential nutrients, including vitamin C,
B-vitamins and magnesium.

Ginger

If too much alcohol has you feeling queasy,
ginger is the perfect food to help settle your stomach and relieve nausea.
While you may not feel much like chewing on the food in its original form, you
could try adding some grated ginger to hot water for a ginger tea, blending
into a fresh fruit or vegetable juice, or snacking on ginger biscuits for a
stomach-soothing treat.

Eggs

Scrambled, fried or boiled, eggs are a popular
hangover breakfast, and the good news is they are a great choice for beating
the nastiest of hangovers. Firstly, eggs are extremely rich in protein, which
helps raise mood-boosting serotonin levels as well as helping to reduce nausea.
Furthermore, eggs are rich in an amino acid called cystine, which helps fight
against the alcohol-induced toxins that contribute to your hangover.

Bananas

Bananas are packed with potassium and magnesium,
two of the minerals often depleted in our bodies when alcohol is consumed. A
lack of potassium in the body can lead to nausea, weakness and tiredness, so
stocking up on bananas can help reduce these classic hangover symptoms. As an
added bonus, bananas are natural antacids so great for reducing stomach acid,
and are good for providing a boost of energy if you have a busy day ahead.

Soup

One of the most important steps for beating a
hangover is getting your body rehydrated, and this can be done through what you
eat as much as what you drink. To up your fluids and sodium levels and get a
shot of nutrients all at once, try some health-boosting vegetable or miso soup.
As an added benefit, soup is easy on the stomach so good if you're feeling a
bit queasy.

Oats

Due to the diuretic effects of alcohol, the body
loses many essential minerals and vitamins during a heavy drinking session.
Luckily, oats can provide you with many of these nutrients, including B
vitamins (good for the liver and mood) and essential minerals magnesium,
calcium and iron. On top of this, oats can help neutralise acidity levels in
the body, cleanse the liver, absorb toxins and slowly raise blood sugar levels,
making a bowl of porridge the perfect hangover breakfast.

Fruit juice

If you're feeling a bit queasy at the thought of
food, then this is the cure for you. While it's great to line your stomach with
food if you can, to replace lost vitamins, raise blood sugar levels and
rehydrate your body, you can't do much better than a glass of fresh juice. Not
only is juice good for immediate relief, the fructose will also help speed up
the removal of alcohol from your blood.

Sardines

If you're craving something savoury, sardines on
toast could be the perfect morning-after breakfast. A major cause of hangovers
is an imbalance of electrolytes, and sardines are rich in many of these vital
minerals, including sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium and calcium. In
addition to this, sardines are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for
protecting the liver as well as lifting the mood.

Coconut water

Many hangover sufferers swear by sports drinks as
a way to hydrate the body and help rebalance electrolytes. However, sports
drinks are often carbonated, which can irritate the stomach, and packed with
refined sugars. For a natural alternative to sports drinks, try sipping on some
coconut water, which contains essential electrolytes (including calcium,
potassium and magnesium) to boost hydration, and is also soothing for the stomach.

Monday, 21 January 2013

Compulsive gambling starts out as recreational and slowly
progresses to the point where it has serious consequences for both the gambler
and their family. Just as with any other addiction, compulsive gambling is
threefold in nature: mental, physical and spiritual, with its main symptom being that of denial and its major characteristic loss of control.

Availability and accessibility determine the number of
people that will gamble. The greater the number of facilities, the greater the
number of people who participate and therefore the greater number of people who
are at risk of becoming compulsive gamblers.

Forms of gambling that cause problems

The two forms of gambling that cause problems and lead to loss of
control are:

The
opportunity to place a single large bet e.g. horse racing or casino.

The
opportunity to place frequent small bets over relatively short periods
e.g. fruit machines, where the interval between bets may be less than 20
seconds.

Characteristics of compulsive gambling:

Preoccupation:
an overriding passion that dominates all aspects of life. The
preoccupation transforms the gambler into a withdrawn and moody person.

Loss
of control: not being able to stop once he/she has started.

Continuing
despite the negative consequences.

Predictors of compulsive gambling:

The
compulsion to chase losses.

Repeated
attempts to stop.

Gambling
in response to negative emotions such as stress and depression.

Phases of compulsive gambling:

Winning

Losing

Desperation

About 75% of compulsive gamblers report that they had a
large win early in their gambling. This winning leads to fantasies about
winning more and an attitude that gambling is a quick and easy way of earning
additional income.

The losing phase is when the gambler unfortunately loses
more than they can afford and then attempts to recover by "chasing
losses" in the hope of winning back the money.

The desperation phase is when the gambler gets into the
vicious cycle of occasionally winning, chasing losses and then suffering more
losses. Irrational gambling begins, as does the downward spiral. The size and
frequency of bets increase and bigger debts are accumulated until rock bottom
is reached.

Who is at risk?

Research shows that people on low incomes and unemployed
people are vulnerable. In this income category, problems emerge at a much
earlier stage.

Young men between 16-30 playing fruit and slot machines and
betting on horses are more at risk than their contemporaries purchasing lottery
tickets.

Bingo, scratch cards and machines have more appeal for older
women.

Impulsive people, which brings us back to availability and
accessibility.

Effects on problem gamblers:

In general, gambling produces social and economic costs,
poverty, starvation, family disintegration and criminal behaviour. The majority
of people who gamble to excess develop psychological symptoms of depression and
anxiety. Many of these people turn to alcohol and drugs as a means of
temporarily escaping.

The physical and emotional health of the compulsive gambler
starts to deteriorate as a result of constant preoccupation with financial
problems. They become moody and irritable and often start arguments in order to
leave the house and gamble.

Research shows that
75% of compulsive gamblers suffer from symptoms of major depression. The
depression, coupled with an inability to find a solution, the fear of being
discovered by their spouse, employer or police, exacerbated by alcohol abuse,
can lead to ideas of suicide. Up to 60% of compulsive gamblers think about
suicide and about 20% actually attempt it. Other feelings experienced are
anxiety, anger, muscular tension, headaches, high blood pressure and fatigue.

The effects on employment are second only to the effects on
the gambler’s family. Gamblers cannot function properly at their jobs, there is
reduced productivity, absenteeism, lost opportunities for promotion, lack of
initiative, attempts to borrow money from colleagues. Lying and deceit become a
way of life.

Other behaviour includes:

Spending
savings.

Cashing
in holiday/sick pay allowance.

Drawing
advances from credit card accounts.

Taking
high interest loans.

Pawning
jewellery and household goods.

Accessing
other family members’ bank accounts.

Engaging
in criminal activities.

How gambling impacts on the family:

The financial difficulties cause strain and friction. Partners often
feel betrayed and angry, which in turn leads to loss of trust. There is
confusion, worry, despair and fear. Arguments erupt and people cease to
communicate. Lack of funds for family activities, abusive behaviour,
hopelessness and helplessness often lead to separation and divorce. The partner
suffers similar physical symptoms and often becomes sicker than the gambler. In
this environment, children suffer neglect and fear. No wonder addiction is
called a family illness.

Saturday, 19 January 2013

Most of us experience a degree of
stress in our lives – it’s part of being a human being. Sometimes it can be
overwhelming, and we seek out ways to actively reduce the levels of stress we
feel. While many see external factors as solutions – changing jobs, moving
homes, getting rid of toxic relationships or bad habits – it could be that what
you’re feeding yourself is making you feel anxious and on edge. Or what you’re
not feeding yourself. If you’re always feeling stressed out, it could be that
you’re not getting enough of the following:

Complex carbs: these
stimulate serotonin production in the brain and stabilize your blood sugar.

Vitamin C: studies
have shown that consuming Vitamin C before a stressful task can reduce the
level of stress experienced. Oranges,
blueberries and strawberries are all a great source of Vitamin C.

Green leafy vegetables: You
may not love the taste of spinach but it contains loads of magnesium which is
proven to reduce stress. The darker the leaf, the more nourishment it contains.

Fatty fish: Fish
such as salmon, mackerel and sardines are loaded with good fatty acids,
essential for healthy brain functioning and a great way to prevent a surge in
stress hormones.

Potassium: Potassium
is vital for our muscles to move, our nerves to fire and our kidneys to purify
our blood. Symptoms of potassium deficiency include fatigue, anxiety, lethargy
and even depression. Get your potassium from foods such as bananas, spinach and
avocado.

Getting all the nutrients you need
to make sure your body functions to its best ability can be difficult, not to
mention expensive. While it’s easier now not to worry about whether you’re
getting the vitamins and supplements you need, the long-term effects can
include inflammation, low bone density, high cholesterol levels, and high blood
sugar, which can lead to even more serious conditions and over time, chronic
illness. A good way to ensure your body gets what it needs is to supplement
your diet with the correct vitamins and nutrients.

If you
wonder whether you should go to work or not, you are probably well enough to
go. But sometimes you wake up and you just know you can't. It could be flu, a
cold, a migraine, or the after-effects of a fish dinner.

What are
the signs that you are too sick to go to work?

When
the thought of getting up out of bed to phone your boss, takes more mental
preparation than the Comrades marathon.

When
you get to a point where you become afraid that you might not die.

When
you have used up the month’s supply of toilet paper – on your nose.

When
you answer the telephone by saying, “Hallo Jeannette here” and the person
on the other side says, “Good morning, Sir.”

When
you are prepared to take a second bond on the house to get the doctor to
make a housecall.

When
your husband seals off half the house and has the Health Department put up
Quarantine notices.

When
you reach the point where you don’t care that the presentation you have
worked on for 6 weeks will now be delivered by the assistant secretary.

When
it hurts to open your eyes – even to read or watch TV.

When
you feel that your lungs are about to volunteer themselves for organ
donation.

When
your family stops saying “Bless you”, as they might become hoarse.

When
you feel as if you have been volunteered for medical experiments without
your knowledge.

Friday, 18 January 2013

Often
regarded as taboo, erotic, and many times, used as an offensive term, the
primary purpose of the anus is for defecation, better known as pooing.

The anus
is a 1½-inch canal located at the lower end of the rectum, between two rather
rounded, muscular pieces of meat, the buttocks. It contains two sphincters, one
being external and the other one internal. This prevents you from having a
rather unpleasant smelling leak while in the cinema, or worse, while having
dinner with your in-laws.

The
internal sphincter is a muscle that has an involuntary action, whilst the
external sphincter works on voluntary action.

Pass
the toilet paper
Nature calls, and it is finally time to drop everything else and run for the
loo – or as it is also called, dropping the kids off at the pool, losing a few
grams, or seeing an old friend off to the coast. When the rectum is full,
pressure is forced along the anal canal to allow the walls to part. The rectum
then shortens as it fills with excrement, and peristaltic motions push the
faeces out. The internal and external sphincters then allow the faeces to be
passed out.

But do not
push too hard. And do not sit longer than the time required. Haemorrhoids, also
known as piles, are often the result of this.

Keep it
clean
Since the anus is responsible for expelling unwanted matter from the body, one
can imagine that it is not the cleanest place on the body, and therefore needs
to be looked after. One should use soft, non-scented toilet tissue to clean the
anus after sitting on the throne. Rough, scented toilet tissue will only lead
to irritations and could make your day quite nasty. And maybe also quite nasty
for everyone around you.

When
bathing, only wash the anus with a mild soap and hot water. Do not scrub it as
it could cause skin irritations and will strip the anal area of its natural
lubricants that keep it soft and supple.

Your
own orchestra
Besides being used for defecation, the anus can also occasionally serve as a
musical instrument. Flatulence or farting, as embarrassing as it might be, is
part of everyday life. Flatulence is basically a mixture of different gases
that are produced by bacteria and yeasts living in the gastrointestinal tract.

Some gases
are flammable. Hydrogen and methane are the two gases that can catch fire. The
foul odour resulting from a whistling experience is from butyric acid, sulphur
and carbon compounds. Even invisible particles of faeces can be present in a
fart. Although the anus does not produce these gases, the anus serves as an
exit hole for these gases to be released.

The
vibration of the anal opening is the cause for the noise when a fart is made.
The sound will depend on the tightness of the sphincter muscle, the speed of the
travelling gas, moisture, as well as body fat.

The urge
to let rip is caused by the same peristaltic motions when faeces is pushed out,
and nerve endings in the rectum can distinguish between faeces and gas.
However, these nerves can become confused every now and then, which could be a
good explanation for the skid marks in your underwear.

Banging
on the back door
Since the beginning of time, the anus has also been accepted by many cultures
as an erogenous zone, explaining the act of anal stimulation. The anal walls
are rich in nerve endings that can give a feeling of pleasure. Many homosexual
and heterosexual people practice this form of intercourse.

However,
anal sex should always be practiced with a condom and a good water-based
lubricant. It is very possible for the walls of the rectum to be torn either
through a very solid stool, or by rough anal sex. This puts the receiver at a
much higher risk of HIV, sexually transmitted infections, and other bacterial
infections.

Interesting
facts

The
average human being can produce up to 1.5 litres of gas throughout the day

The
hairs growing around the anus help keep the anus dry and prevent any
harmful dust particles from entering the rectum

Thursday, 17 January 2013

A close friend of mine was talking to me about how hard it
is to raise teenagers. The children are always unhappy.

I pointed out to her the need to consult a doctor but I think
she is worried about the stigma that people associate with therapy. I then
thought I should look into children and depression. However this might feel
patronizing to some but I think the weather in cold climates does not help.
When I was a teenager back in Africa, I had no
time for sadness. I had so much to share with friends an episode of sadness
never crossed me and as far back as I can remember, there was always lightand the looking forward to the next day.

What is
depression?

Depression is an overwhelming feeling of hopelessness,
sadness and lack of self-worth. Many people feel sad occasionally, but when
someone is depressed, the sadness or feeling low are so extreme or persistent
that they get in the way of normal activities.

Causes
of depression

The causes of depression aren't fully understood. Many
factors can contribute, such as losing a loved one (or in children, a good
friendship breaking up), illness, stress, family problems (for example, parents
who are splitting up) and problems (such as bullying) at school. Some children
are more resilient to difficulties than others, so while some cope, others
become depressed.

Genetics and family tendencies may partly explain why some
people are more susceptible to depression. It may also explain why the levels
of certain brain chemicals become abnormal in depression.

Who's at risk of depression?

In the early 1980s, many psychiatrists believed children
were incapable of experiencing depression because they lacked the emotional
maturity to feel despondent. However, most children feel down at times.

At least two per cent of children under 12 struggle with
significant depression, and by teenage years this has risen to five per cent -
that's at least one depressed child in every classroom.

More than half of the adults who develop depression say they
can pinpoint early symptoms before the age of 20.

Symptoms
of depression in children

There are many symptoms related to depression, which can
make it difficult to spot. Common depression symptoms in children include:

•Simply appearing unhappy much of the time.

•Headaches, stomach aches, tiredness and other vague
physical complaints that appear to have no obvious cause.

•Spending a lot of time in bed but sleeping badly and waking
early in the morning.

•Doing badly at school.

•Major changes in weight.

•Being unusually irritable, sulky or becoming quiet and
introverted.

•Losing interest in favourite hobbies.

•Having poor self-esteem or recurrent feelings of
worthlessness.

•Contemplating suicide.

It isn't always easy to spot depression in children because
they're less capable of expressing their feelings and often tend to react to
their moods in a more physical way. So, while some children are clearly sad,
withdrawn and tearful, others may become hyperactive, troublesome bullies.

If you're worried about your child, especially if they've
had symptoms for longer than three to four weeks, you should talk to your GP.
Also talk to your children's friends, to try to get a different perspective on
their feelings.

If your child ever talks about suicide, you should always
take them seriously and get expert advice. Children's threats are often
dismissed as being empty or no more than attention-seeking. It's important to
involve other family members and improve communication and support within the
family.

Depression is poorly understood, but some children are more
at risk, particularly those who have a physical illness, have been abused, or
come from a home where there is marital disharmony or family breakdown.

However, many simpler worries can also trigger an episode of
depression, such as exam fears.

Treating
depression in children

Treatment consists of talking therapies, such as counselling
or psychotherapy, and antidepressants. Simply talking about the problems to family
and friends is often a major step towards recovery.

Although children might not find this easy at first, it's
essential to help them understand why they became depressed, how they can deal
with the underlying problems in their life and how they can develop a more
positive view of their world. This usually involves some sort of psychotherapy.

Like adults, children with depression can't just 'snap out
of it' or 'pull themselves together'. It's a long-term problem with episodes of
depression lasting, on average, eight months.

While the majority of depressed children are back to normal
after a year or two, at least half are likely to become depressed again within
a couple of years.

Children usually respond fairly quickly to treatment.
Antidepressants are rarely needed but may be useful in some cases. Most
children can be treated at home or as a hospital outpatient, so rarely need to
stay in hospital.

Wednesday, 16 January 2013

Rather than turning into a pressure cooker of
stress, here are a few ways to unwind, and some ways that you shouldn’t..

Work out
You’ve heard this before, but here’s a timely reminder. Exercise forces your
mind off the cares of the day. If you do it properly and have a really vigorous
workout (without reading your company’s annual report on the treadmill), you’ll
feel better because of all the oxygen in your blood. There’ll be endorphins in
your system too – call them nature’s Prozac. You need to exercise for at least
40 minutes before they kick in, but they’ll keep working for hours afterwards.
The other reason that exercise is good for you is this: most blokes feel guilty
when they don’t and justifiably feel good when they do.

Don’t talk shop
Having six beers with the guys from the office may be a tradition, but it’s one
that’s worth breaking. Most social events of this sort involve shoptalk, which
won’t help anyone relax. And the habit of drinking a lot socially has its own problems.
A little of what you fancy is definitely good for you, as long as it’s a little
beer, wine, chocolate or biltong, and not cocaine or tobacco. But watch your
intake: if your consumption level increases, it’s worth taking a break before
your drinking becomes a source of stress itself.

Cook something
Studies show that food odours (excluding cabbage, perhaps) help reduce stress.
So knock up a fragrant curry or some garlicky pasta with pungent parmesan
cheese. Just shopping for fresh greens can be therapeutic, as long as you don’t
look too closely at the price of organic tomatoes. Back to the kitchen: if
you’re really feeling careworn, slam together a meal that’s high in
carbohydrates and has no protein. Think pasta or pasta salad (easy on the oily
dressing), rice, a mixture of pulses and grains, or simply a baked potato. This
works because carbohydrates trigger the release of serotonin, a brain chemical
that calms you.

Start a garden
Some blokes find the very idea of gardening stressful, but a bonsai tree or
miniature garden can be therapeutic. It’s the same reason that some blokes
build model aircraft or keep fish, except that while aphids don’t eat either of
those, each has its own hazards if you’re not good at them.

Hit the bottle
Not booze, which as we’ve said is a bad idea, but aromatherapy oils. Run
yourself a warm – not scalding – bath, and put in a few drops of lavender,
juniper, chamomile, geranium, clary sage or sandalwood. Any combination of
these is fine, but put in no more than six drops. Then have a soak.

Stock up on Woody
Allen videos
Laughter is good for your blood pressure, so build up a library of stuff that
tickles you, whether it’s Calvin and Hobbes collections, Goon Show recordings,
Fawlty Towers videos or just your high school yearbook - once you hit a certain
age the hairstyles are always good for a chuckle.

Float away
Make your own flotation tank with a bath full of tepid water and a packet of
epsom salts. Light a perfumed candle and have a float. Recorded whale music is
optional.

Finally, here’s a
series of stretches that will help rid your muscles of the knots picked up in a
day behind a monitor or a steering wheel. Wear loose, cool clothing, keep your
eyes closed throughout, and leave the cell phone and the Green Day CD off.

Step 1
Lie on the floor with your legs together and your arms by your sides. Inhale.
Tighten your toes, feet and calves. Pull your kneecaps up; clench your buttocks
and thighs. Exhale, pulling in your abdomen, clenching your fists and arm
muscles. Maintain this tightness for three seconds then exhale, spreading your
arms and legs as you do so, but maintaining the tension. Slowly relax the
muscles in the same order that you clenched them. Roll slowly onto your left
side and stand, keeping your eyes closed.

Step 2
Stand up straight with your feet together and one arm raised straight up, the
other pressed against your leg. Swing slowly sideways from the waist, then
back. Switch arms and repeat step 2.

Step 3
With both arms hanging loosely at your side, bend forward from the waist. Feel
the blood pressure in your head and the pull in your legs. Go as low as you
can, keeping your legs straight. Stay that way for at least two minutes, then
straighten. You should feel a bit light-headed. Stand still until it passes.

Step 4
Stand straight. Inhale and bend backwards slowly from the middle body,
stretching your head and neck. Keep your chin tucked in a bit if you have neck
trouble. Breathe normally with your eyes closed for at least two minutes, or
until your start to feel lightheaded or uncomfortable. Straighten slowly.

Step 5
Lower yourself to the floor and lie flat. Lift your knees to your chest, which
will press your lower back to the floor. Then slide your feet out until your
legs are straight. Spread your feet about a foot apart, and your arms about 16
inches from your body, palms facing upwards. Count 10 slow, even breaths,
feeling your abdomen rise and fall. Breathe rhythmically, without forcing the
breaths. Concentrate on how the exhalation relaxes you and the inhalation
invigorates you. Open your eyes slowly and stand.

Tuesday, 15 January 2013

People often decide it's time to drink less. This
usually happens after you realise this is the second time in a week that you
have a hangover, or family members complain about your drinking.

If your problem is serious, it may be an idea to
seek professional help, but if you merely want to cut down, instead of cutting
it out completely, there is a lot you can do to limit your alcoholic intake.

Drinking is often a social activity and often the
pressure is on to drink with others. Unless you go completely teetotal, it
often happens that you stagger from a party at the end of the evening, having
had three too many, despite your resolutions - and hating yourself for it.

So what
can you do to cut down on your drinking?

Don't do the rounds. Go out with your
friends, by all means, possibly even pay for the first round, but don't drink
round for round with them. That means that the amount you drink will depend on
how much the others are drinking. Say something about an important
early-morning meeting and don't let yourself be bullied.

Always have a drink handy. Get one drink
and nurse it all evening. When someone offers you another, point at your
half-full glass and say something like, "When I've finished this
one". Point blank outright refusal and expressed intention to have only
one, will possibly result in others putting pressure on you to have another
one.

Stay out of the spotlight. Don't draw
attention to yourself by either refusing loudly to have even one drink, or by
loudly shouting in an order for an orange juice. Get a drink, preferably a
large one, like a beer, and put it down on front of you and nurse it all
evening. People will register that you have a drink, not that it's been the
same one all evening.

If you can't join them, trick them. Drinks
like lime and soda, or tonic without the gin, both look like alcoholic
beverages, but aren't. Have several of these. Everyone will think you're
drinking with them.

Accept invitations with a non-drinking
proviso. If you're on medication, such as antihistamines or antibiotics,
you should not drink at all. You don't have to turn down an invitation, because
of this, but do tell people in advance that you are not allowed to drink
anything for a few days. People probably won't bug you.

Drink low alcohol drinks. There are light
beers on the market. You can also mix white wine with soda and have a spritzer.
In this way you can have a drink in your hand all evening, without consuming
more than the alcoholic equivalent of one glass of wine.

Ice is nice. Put lots of ice in your drink
–essentially this waters it down and you can linger over it longer.

Pop the peanuts. Line your stomach with
bar snacks, like pretzels or peanuts or chips. The emptier your stomach, the
more immediate will be the effect of your alcoholic consumption. Alcohol and
aspirin are the only two substances absorbed into the system directly through
the stomach lining.

Water, water everywhere. Drink two glasses
of water before you go, so that you don't find yourself downing two beers
because you are thirsty. And anyway, as it is alcohol dehydrates you . Drinking
a glass of water in between drinks is also a good idea and gives your liver a
bit of a break.

Eat out rather than go to the pub. If you
want to socialise with friends, it may be an idea to go out for a meal rather
than going to a pub.

Singles, not doubles. Order single drinks,
not doubles. A double tot of anything already puts you over the legal limit for
driving. Two doubles and most people will be fairly far gone.

Limit your spending money. Take a limited
amount of money with youThis will
limit the amount you can drink quite effectively.

Monday, 14 January 2013

Bipolar
disorder, also known as manic depression, is a mood disorder, characterised by
extreme shifts in mood, energy and functioning. More recently this term is also
used to include the more subtle variants of the disorder, called the soft
bipolar spectrum disorders. Bipolar disorder Type I is much less common than
Major Depressive disorder, with 1% of the general population affected over
time. Males and females are affected equally. The incidence of the soft bipolar
spectrum disorders have not been established yet but it might be as high as 6%
of the general population. It is also still unclear what the sex ratio of this
disorder is.

As a
group, the bipolar disorders entail episodes of depression as well as episodes
of mania/euphoria or hypomania. The switches between these two states may be
fairly sudden and dramatic, but are more commonly gradual in onset. Both mood
states may occur at the same time. This is called a mixed episode.

Bipolar
disorder tends to be a chronic, recurring condition and is generally considered
to have a poorer long-term outcome than Major Depressive Disorder.

During a
manic (“high”) episode a person displays behaviour that is out of character.
He/she may be “overly” happy and/or highly irritable, have boundless energy, go
for days without sleeping and lose their inhibitions in social settings. People
with mania may develop unrealistic beliefs in their capabilities that may
impair their judgement, the result of which is engagement in foolish activities
or projects which often lead them into financial or other difficulties. As a
manic episode develops, there may be an increase in the use of alcohol or
stimulants, which may aggravate or prolong the episode. Typically a manic
person denies that there is anything wrong or unusual with him/her. The changes
in mood and behaviour are observable by others who know the person well.

During a
hypomanic episode similar symptoms are present but only in a more subtle form.
This sometimes makes it difficult to recognize and therefore contributes to the
diagnosis being missed.

During the
“low” phase the person is depressed, lacks energy and struggles to enjoy
activities, which were previously enjoyable. In contrast to the classic
unipolar form of depression, a person tends to sleep more and have an increased
appetite with possible weight gain.

Some
people can experience symptoms of depression and mania at the same time. This
is called “black mania” or a mixed episode.

Each of
the different phases of the disorder can disrupt the person’s work, school,
family and social life. As such it can be very disabling, but if treated
appropriately, it responds well. Treatment can help prevent future episodes.

Racing
thoughts or jumping from one idea to another, making it difficult for
others to follow

Distractibility
and difficulty concentrating

Increase
in goal-directed activity

Poor
judgement

Excessive
involvement in pleasurable activities that can have painful consequences
(such as spending sprees or sexual indiscretions)

Abuse
of drugs and alcohol

Denial
that anything is wrong

Signs and
symptoms of depression include:

Intense
sadness

Loss
of interest or pleasure in activities previously enjoyed

Feelings
of guilt, despair and worthlessness

Change
in sleeping pattern – more commonly sleeping to much (hypersomnia)

Loss
of energy

Change
in appetite more commonly an increase in appetite resulting in weight gain

Difficulty
concentrating and remembering

Restlessness
or irritability

Thoughts
of death or suicide

Some
people may have psychotic symptoms during severe episodes of mania and
depression. Common symptoms are delusions (false, strongly held beliefs that
are not influenced by logical reasoning) and hallucinations (hearing, seeing or
otherwise sensing things that are not there). These symptoms tend to reflect
the mood state at the time. For example, during a manic phase a person may
believe that he is the president or has special powers. Delusions of guilt or
worthlessness may appear during depression.

As
mentioned, the symptoms of hypomania are similar to that of a manic episode but
less severe. Psychotic symptoms are not present and hospitalization is usually
not needed. There is also less overall impairment of functioning. It may even
be associated with good functioning and enhanced productivity.

Bipolar
I
The person involved has one or more depressive episodes with at least one manic
or mixed episode.

Bipolar
II
The person has one or more depressive episodes with at least one hypomanic
episode. When four or more episodes of illness occur within a year, the person
is said to have bipolar disorder with rapid cycling.

Cyclothymic
disorder
This is characterised by chronic fluctuating moods, involving periods of
hypomania and depression. The depressive episode is not severe enough to meet
the criteria for MDE. This is often considered a personality type.

Who
suffers from bipolar disorder?

Although
it is less common than Major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder is probably
more common than previously thought. Approximately 1% of the population suffers
from Bipolar I disorder. It is however suspected that the lifetime prevalence
of the bipolar spectrum disorders (including bipolar disorder type II) can be
as high as 6%.

In
contrast to Major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder has an earlier onset.
The onset is often before the age of 20, but may even start in early childhood,
when it is often confused with ADHD. If the onset is after the age of fifty, it
is usually due to another medical condition, such as multiple sclerosis or the
effect of drugs, alcohol or steroids.

There is
no single cause. The disorder tends to run in families, which suggests that
there is a genetic link. In people predisposed to the disorder, the onset can
be triggered by stressful life events, the use/abuse of drugs and/or
prescription medication, including antidepressants and steroids.

An
imbalance in various neurotransmitters (chemicals by which the brain cells
communicate) may also be involved. There may also be disturbances in the
production or release of certain hormones within the brain that contribute to
causing bipolar disorder.

Bipolar
disorder is a lifelong condition. Bipolar I disorder is generally considered to
have a poorer long-term outcome than Major Depressive Disorder. The reasons for
this are unclear but may be a result of poor compliance with medical treatment.
Bipolar II disorder and the soft bipolar spectrum disorders have a better
outcome

The course
varies from person to person. Bipolar disorder can start with major depression
or a manic episode. Manic episodes usually begin suddenly with a rapid
escalation of symptoms over a few days. They tend to be shorter and end more
abruptly than depressive episodes. It is important to note that over a lifetime
patients with bipolar mood disorder have a much higher likelihood of suffering
from a depressive episode than from a hypomanic/manic episode. For some there
may be long symptom-free periods between episodes. Episodes have been described
to last for days, weeks or months. However, more recent research suggests that
some individuals may experience several switches in mood state within one day.
The average person with bipolar I disorder has four episodes (manic or
depressed) during the first ten years of the illness. A minority of people may
have several episodes of mania and depression with only brief periods of normal
moods in between.

If
properly controlled by medication, a person can lead a full, productive life.
If left untreated, moods will continue to swing from one extreme to another and
cause severe impairment in functioning. The time period between episodes
usually narrows and episodes become more severe. In such cases, suicide is a
real danger, especially if the person abuses substances and/or suffers from
anxiety.

There is
no diagnostic test. In order to make a diagnosis, an evaluation by a
psychiatrist, who will take a detailed history and thoroughly assess symptoms,
is essential.

It is very
useful to get feedback from close family and friends, as a person with this
disorder often lacks insight into his/her condition. They will often deny that
anything is wrong and resist efforts to be treated. This resistance can often
delay diagnosis and effective treatment.

Substance
abuse or medical conditions such as thyroid problems can mimic bipolar
disorder. These need to be ruled out and effectively treated.

Sunday, 13 January 2013

Snakes
are a menace in some parts of the world and if you live in the part of the
world where they don’t exist, then you might find this article pointless, but
those who live in places infested by venomous snakes, will appreciate this.

Staying
calm and getting as quickly as possible to a medical facility will give you the
best chance of surviving a venomous snakebite. Even if a hospital doesn't have
antivenom, in most cases there will be enough time to order it in and provide
supportive care in the interim.

It's
important to remember that most snakes aren't venomous, and, when a venomous
snake does bite, it will seldom be fatal. However, these bites can cause
permanent injuries to the affected part, usually a limb, and occasional loss of
life.

The
mortality rate from snakebite is around one in every 68 bites, resulting in
about fatalities a year in Southern Africa.

About 20%
of bites will require major treatment. Recovery from a bite is influenced by
several factors, including the amount of venom injected, the site and depth of
the bite as well as the health, body size and age of the person. The time it
takes to receive medical treatment also plays a role.

Symptoms
Symptoms depend on the type of venom injected:

Most
adder venom (such as from puffadders) is toxic to tissue (cytotoxic),
especially blood vessels. It causes extreme pain, swelling of the limb and
blistering. An untreated bite may cause death due to loss of blood,
dehydration and secondary infection.

Mamba
and cobra venom are toxic to the nervous system (neurotoxic). Symptoms
include “pins and needles”, dizziness, poor co-ordination, slurred speech,
excessive salivation and drooping eyelids. This is followed by difficulty
in breathing.

Boomslang
and vine snake venom are toxic to blood cells and the blood loses its
ability to coagulate (haemotoxic). Early symptoms include headaches,
nausea, diarrhoea, lethargy, mental disorientation, bruising and bleeding
at the site and all body openings.

Get to a
hospital immediately if you have been bitten by a snake, unless you are absolutely
certain that it is not a venomous one. Phone the hospital en route and
provide information about symptoms, and describe the snake if you can, so that
no time is wasted in getting the correct antivenom.

Not all
medical facilities will have antivenom, and they may need to order this in.
However, in most cases there will be enough time for a patient on correct
supportive care: neurotoxic venom is very fast-acting (20 minutes in the case
of a black mamba), but other types of venom take several hours to take effect.

First
Aid for snakebite

DON'TS:

Don't
use antivenom except in a hospital environment. Some patients react
against antivenom and may go into anaphylactic shock, a serious condition
that requires emergency medical treatment. Antivenom also needs to be kept
refrigerated, injected correctly (into the bloodstream, not the muscle,
and not into the bite site), and given in sufficiently large quantities to
be effective.

Don't
cut and suck the wound, or use suction cup devices or electric shocks

Don't
give the patient anything to eat or drink

Don't
rub potassium permanganate into the wound or soak the limb in home
remedies

Don't
try to catch and kill the snake

DO'S:

Get
everyone well away from the snake.

Try
to obtain a clear description of the snake. However, this isn't essential,
and you shouldn't waste time looking for it. The symptoms will give the
doctor a good idea of the kind of snake (neurotoxic etc.), and the
severity of the bite.

Stay
calm, and reassure the person who has been bitten. Fear and anxiety cause
an increase in heart rate, and thus a more rapid spread of venom
throughout the body.

For
neurotoxic and haemotoxic snake bites, it may help to wrap a crepe or pressure
bandage firmly around the area of the bite, covering the entire limb (from
fingertip to armpit; from toe to groin). Apply hand pressure at the site
of the bite until a bandage or strips of fabric can be obtained.

Keep
the person as still as possible and immobilise the affected limb by
binding splints (e.g. straight branches) to either side of the limb.

If
a snake spits into someone's eyes, rinse with large amounts of water,
preferably by holding the head under a running tap. This will also require
treatment at hospital: a drop of antivenom is placed in the eye.

Observe
the person closely and record any symptoms and the time taken for them to
appear.

If
the patient stops breathing, you will need to breathe for them until they
can get expert medical help.

Preventing
snake bites

Don't
try to catch or kill snakes; get in an experienced snake handler.

Watch
where you step. Always use a torch when you walk outdoors at night.

Wear
boots and long trousers in the bush or veld. Step on top of, not over, logs
or rocks. Stick to well-cleared footpaths.

Don’t
put your hand into holes, above your head onto ledges, or under objects
when picking them up.

Stay
away from "dead" snakes - they may be feigning death.

Always
keep your cell phone with you when hiking, and keep it charged. If you're
going to be in an area without cell reception, consider getting radio
communication, and make sure someone knows where you're going and when.
Have all the relevant emergency numbers on you, and know which are the
nearest medical facilities.

Don't
keep exotic snakes as pets; antivenom for their bites is not available
locally.

Don't
be blase about snakes; many bites (and some deaths) occur as a result of
snake collectors and even experts with many years experience getting careless.

Quotes

Married to a Devil

About Me

Welcome to my blog!
I hope you find it interesting. If there is nothing of interest today,please keep on checking. You may never know what tomorrow has.
I write about issues that affect women mostly in the underdeveloped parts of the world. My first book is called 'Married to a Devil'.
Don't get me wrong,I also write about men.
Buy my book 'Married To A Devil' on Amazonor buy from Chipmunkapublishing.co.uk